HOSPICE MERCY
Provider Information
- Address
- 175 MERCADO ST
DURANGO, CO 81301 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- June 6, 1986
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
26
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what HOSPICE MERCY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Provided directly by this hospice
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2016.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE MERCY compares to hospices nationwide.
11.3 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 39th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
44
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day11.3 min
Ranks better than about 39% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends6.2%
Ranks better than about 29% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life82.9%
Ranks better than about 17% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits46.7%
Ranks better than about 58% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care6.4%
Ranks better than about 50% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months34%
Ranks better than about 57% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care6.4%
Ranks better than about 54% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)87th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$13,399 · 25th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 51.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment91%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.8%
- Breathing difficulty treatment96.3%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.6%
- Beliefs and values discussed97.3%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life51.3%
- All care steps completed89.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia13%
- Heart and circulatory disease30%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke8%
- Other conditions10%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice Mercy in Durango
Hospice Mercy provides end-of-life care for families in Durango, Colorado. They focus on comfort, pain management, and emotional support for patients facing a life-limiting illness. Located at 175 Mercado St, they serve the La Plata County area with a commitment to compassionate care. The team works hard to ensure patients live their final days with dignity in their own homes or care facilities. Choosing the right hospice is a big decision. It is about finding a partner who truly listens to your needs during a tough time. Hospice Mercy has been part of this community for a long time, helping families navigate the complexities of late-stage care. They provide a bridge between medical treatment and personal comfort. Their staff is trained to help with the physical, social, and spiritual parts of this journey. That is a huge relief when you are already dealing with so much stress.
About Hospice Mercy
Hospice Mercy operates as a non-profit organization. This means they put their resources directly back into patient care. They have been Medicare certified since June 6, 1986. That is nearly four decades of serving the local community. Being Medicare certified is a big deal. It means they meet strict federal standards for safety and quality. When you look at a provider, check if they are non-profit. It often impacts how they focus their time and energy. Families should know that non-profits like this one are driven by their mission. They are not chasing profits. Instead, they focus on the quality of the time you have left together. You can trust that they have the experience to handle difficult symptoms and complex family needs. They have seen it all before. That experience gives them a steady hand when things get hard. It makes a real difference in how they support you every single day.
Understanding Hospice Care in Durango
Finding the right care in a mountain town like Durango can feel overwhelming. You want someone who knows the area and can reach your home quickly. Hospice services are not just about medicine. They are about the people who sit by your side. In La Plata County, families have access to professional care that respects their local values. The thing is, hospice is not just for the very last days of life. You can start these services as soon as a doctor says life expectancy is six months or less. Many families wait too long to call. They miss out on months of extra support, comfort, and peace of mind. Starting early allows the care team to build a real relationship with the patient. It helps them manage pain before it gets out of control. That is how you keep your loved one comfortable at home. It is a vital resource for our community.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions. Do not be afraid to be direct with the people you interview. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if there is an emergency in the middle of the night. You need to know that help is just a phone call away. Second, ask how they handle pain and symptom control. You want a team that is proactive, not just reacting to problems after they start. Third, ask how they support the family after the patient passes. Grief support is a huge part of what a good hospice does. Finally, ask if they have volunteers who can help with errands or just sit with your loved one. These small things make a massive difference. You are building a team to help you through one of life's hardest chapters. Make sure you pick a team that feels like family to you.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
The time you spend with your loved ones is precious. Recording their memories and stories can be a gift that lasts for generations to come. Start preserving your family history today.
Start Your StoryOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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TRAIL WINDS HOSPICE
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LAMAR AREA HOSPICE ASSOCIATION
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